Kenya Bans “RAFIKI” Lesbian Film Ahead Of Cannes Debut

Lesbianism is not an African thing and should not be Encouraged. The Keyan Government places a ban on movie about two women.

A movie about love between two women has been banned in Kenya, ahead of its premiere at international film festival Cannes.

Kenya’s Film and Classification Board (KFCB) said “Rafiki” was banned because of it’s intent to “promote lesbianism,” in the country.

“The film has been restricted due to its homosexual theme and clear intent to promote lesbianism in Kenya contrary to the law,” a statement from the board said.

The ban came at accurate time—”RAFIKI“—due to its homosexual theme and clear intent to promote lesbianism in Kenya which is contrary to the law and dominant values of the Kenyans.

The ban includes that the film should not be distributed or shown anywhere in the country and anyone found with a copy would be in breach of the law.

The Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu, who directed the movie, said she is much disappointed, saying,”We believe adult Kenyans are mature and discerning enough to watch local content but their right has been denied.” “But lesbianism has nothing to do with maturity if i a may say and it’s against God’s principles”.

The movie “Rafiki” an LGBT-themed movie makes history as the first Kenyan movie to premiere at Cannes, with its debut appearance next month.

It was Inspired by the 2007 Caine Prize winning short story “Jambula Tree” by Ugandan writer Monica Arac Nyeko, “Rafiki” which means ‘friend‘ in Swahili is the story of friendship and tender love that grows between two young women amidst family and political pressures. But the story has been cut out.

Director of the film: Rafiki

It widely known that Kenya’s penal code criminalizes carnal knowledge against the order of nature and tha t anyone found engaging in homosexual activities could face up to 14 years in prison.

The ban has sparked quite a number of reactions on social media in that the film’s lovers and supporters lashed out at the film board for “restricting” the movie.

There is a call that the director of the film is to be blamed for not been in harmony with the film board. When the movie was finally submitted and asked for some homosexual scenes to be removed, however the director refused.

But some Kenyans have also expressed support for the ban, saying the film board did the right thing to preserve the culture and traditional values of the country and the continent in general. There are indications that the film will encourage our youth into homosexuality.